Johnson Controls, which is engaged in facility management and controls, has formed a strategic alliance with Nexterra Energy to offer biomass gasification solutions to Johnson Controls customers, including higher education, health care, government facilities and industrial operations.

Nexterra’s patented gasification technology converts biomass into clean burning syngas that can be used to displace natural gas or fuel oil to generate heat and/or electricity. Under the strategic alliance agreement, the companies will jointly develop and implement biomass gasification projects that will enable customers to reduce energy costs, increase energy security, lower greenhouse gas emissions and become less reliant on fossil fuel by using locally sourced, renewable biomass fuel.

Don Albinger, vice president of renewable energy solutions for Johnson Controls, said: As the cost of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas increases and concern about their economic and environmental impacts grows, businesses and institutions are demanding alternative sources of clean energy. We selected Nexterra because it has demonstrated that its technology is cost-effective, versatile, easy to operate, and provides real solutions to real energy problems. Nexterra’s capabilities add to a growing alliance of innovative energy technology partners that complement our existing renewable energy solutions and services.

Jonathan Rhone, Nexterra’s president and CEO, said: Nexterra is proud that an industry leader such as Johnson Controls has selected our technology as a key component of their renewable energy strategy. The marketplace is ready to commit to renewables, and Johnson Controls is well positioned to help Nexterra fast track our solutions into the institutional market.